Everyone loves all kinds of brownies, but they can be time-consuming to make. Learn how to make hazelnut brownies with only 3 ingredients!
Did you know that chocolate hazelnut spread was invented because of a shortage of cocoa and an abundance of nuts?
This luscious, smooth paste would struggle to make itself any better, but we all know food is better when cultures combine. Have you ever tried this European breakfast treat with the all-American brownie? You will find much more depth and a richer flavor when you do.
Read on as we discuss how to make chocolate hazelnut brownies.
Why Choose Hazelnut Brownies?
Legend has it that the first brownie was created at The Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago. In 1893, a large exhibition was held in the city. Wealthy socialite Mrs. Bertha Potter Palmer asked the chefs to make a delicious treat that could be stored easily in the lunchboxes of ladies attending.
What chefs returned with was a fudgy chocolate slab we know as the brownie. Oddly enough, it was presented with walnuts on top and an apricot glaze. However, the body was the mix of chocolate, butter, sugar, and eggs we know today.
The appeal of a brownie has remained the same since that first day. They are easy to transport, reasonably hardy, and remain delicious in most conditions. Luckily, they have got even easier to prepare.
What You Will Need
- One tub of hazelnut spread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- Baking Tray
- Spatula
The hazelnut spread is the main ingredient in this, and as such, you should choose it wisely. Not all spreads are made the same.
You can go with the leading brand Nutella. This is perfect, and you may also find supermarket or imitation brands that are just as good. However, some may be packed with more sugar than you need, so make sure you taste before using.
Recently, there have been a lot of chocolate spreads based on famous candy bars. For a wicked variation, you could replace the Nutella with some of these. They may give you more caramel or fruit flavors in the brownie.
Step One
Take an 8×8 inch baking tray. Coat it with a non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper. This will be the base to cook your brownie in.
Step Two
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You must place the brownies inside when the oven is at this exact temperature. If not, you will fail to get the crisp top and gooey middle that is the hallmark of the dessert.
Step Three
Combine the large eggs, flour, and one and a quarter cups of your spread in a large mixing bowl. These need to be mixed until they have a smooth consistency. Chocolate spread itself can be pretty stubborn, so you may want to use an electric whisk to assist.
Once you have the desired consistency, pour your homemade brownie recipe into the baking tray. Smooth the top down, so it is even all over.
Step Four
Place your easy brownies recipe into the oven and let it bake for around 25 to 30 minutes. It is much better to have an undercooked brownie than an overcooked one, so keep an eye on the time. You can test how well they are done by placing a fork into the brownies and checking to see if it comes out clean.
Step Five
Remove the brownies from the oven and slice them into slabs. Let them cool a little before removing them from the tray. You can then let them cool and keep for later or serve them hot with ice cream!
The Traditionalists Recipe
Remember Mrs. Bertha Potter Palmer from the start of the recipe? Well, it turns out her walnut and apricot topped brownie were not as odd as it seems. In fact, it is quite a delicious and easy addition to make.
You will need apricot jam, sugar, lemon juice, walnuts, and apricot brandy if you feel like a tipple. Start by placing a pan on medium heat. Add three-quarters of a cup of apricot jam, with two tablespoons of sugar, one spoon of lemon juice, and two dashes of your liquor.
When your brownies come out of the oven, let them cool. Then, coarsely chop the walnuts and spread them over the top.
Put your apricot mix through a sieve to get out any lumps. Once you have this strained mixture, generously pour it on top of the brownies and walnuts. Let the glaze set a little before serving.
Fudge Brownie Recipe
Fudge brownies are the choice favored by many. It is easy to buy fudge pieces from the store and add them to the mix. You just need to do it at the start of the process, before the brownies go into the oven.
However, what is even more impressive is making your own fudge. This also takes a mere three ingredients, even less if you want traditional fudge. You will need a can of condensed milk, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips.
Place the condensed milk and two cups of chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat them for one minute, then stir to combine them. Keep heating if you need so that the chips melt into the milk.
After this, add around a tablespoon of vanilla extract. This is going to give you a depth to your chocolate fudge that will work wonders on its own or when the fudge is part of your brownie. When combined, pour into a baking tray and place in the refrigerator to set.
Take the fudge out and cut it into squares for a delicious treat. If you want to include it in your brownie, place the fudge into a small bag and smash it with a rolling pin. Put these small pieces into the mix at step three and continue.
Serving
Congratulations, you just made delicious hazelnut brownies! Serve them after lunch with ice cream or take them with you on an outing. Nothing could be easier.
Did you think this was easy? Wait until you see the rest of our scrumptious yet delicious desserts. Click here to see the range, and get yourself back in the kitchen!
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